11. Motive

God said

... whether you bring into the open what is in your minds or conceal it, God will call you to account for it….Q.2: 284

Say [O Muhammad] : “Shall we tell you who are the greatest losers in whatever they do? (It is) they whose labour has gone astray in (the pursuit of no more than) this world’s life, and who none the less think that they are doing good works: it is they who have chosen to deny their Sustainer’s messages and the truth that they are destined to meet Him.” Hence, all their [good deeds] come to naught, and no weight shall We assign to them on Resurrection Day. Q.18: 103-105

Surely, we do not want to be caught among the greatest losers. Let us reexamine our motives, deeds and our faith in the light of the above verse, specially : “who have chosen to deny their Sustainer’s messages and the truth that they are destined to meet Him.” Because among us are those who do not try to understand the Qura’n or do not act upon what is known to them. Let us make it our new year resolution to change that. So that we are not among those for whom the Prophet will say on the Resurrection Day (25:30) “O my Lord! Behold, (a number of) my own people have come to regard this Qur’an of no account ”

To him who desires a harvest [i.e., return of their endeavors] in the life to come, We shall grant an increase in his harvest; whereas to him who desires [but] a harvest in this world [exclusively], We [may] give something thereof, but he will have no share in [the blessings of] life to come. Q42: 20

“Niyat” or intention / motive to perform for the sake of God bears reward for all our actions – religious or temporal.



Prophet said

1. “Actions are (judged) only according to the conscious intentions (which prompted them); and unto everyone will be accounted what he consciously intended (i.e., while doing whatever he did)” – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Omar bin Khattab.
This basic, extremely well authenticated Tradition is quoted by Bukhari in seven places, as well as by Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Da’ud, Nasa’I, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hanbal, and several other compilations. In this connection it is to be noted that in the ethics of the Qur’an, the term “action”(‘amal) comprises also a deliberate “omission” of actions, whether good or bad, as well as a deliberate voicing of beliefs, both righteous and sinful: in short, everything that man consciously aims at and expresses by word or deed.

2. “A man whom God did not provide wealth or knowledge but whose (sincere) intention is to have done the (charitable) work of such and such (benevolent rich) had he (managed) the riches (then) rewards of both are equal.” – H: Tirmizi. N: Kabshah al-Anmariy.

3. “If two Muslims encounter with their swords (or any other weapon, and one gets
killed) then both the killer and the killed are in the Fire.” When asked why the one who is murdered, the Holy Prophet said: “Because he too was eager to kill his companion.” – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Bakrah.

4. “Whoever marries a woman for a dower with the intention of not paying it back is a fornicator; and whoever takes a loan with the intention of not returning it is a thief.” – H. Ibn Majah. N: Abu Hurairah.